The Vigil has been sent the following message from a reliable source in Zimbabwe:

Plans for a Solidarity March in support of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in removing Mugabe are at an advanced stage. Saturday 18th of November has been declared an independence day as Zimbabweans are going to march to State House to remove Mugabe from power, starting from Robert Mugabe Square in Harare.

1. The military and the war veterans are fully behind the march.2. MDC alliance and all other opposition parties are behind the march3. Public transport including combis will be transporting people for free to Harare in support of the march4. No police/army will block the march as they are behind the march5. Spread the news to every Zimbabwean and make sure you help in any way to make sure this march is a success 6. Once we all come together and march we are sending a clear message to SADC AU EU and the whole world that we are actually supporting our army and we are tired of Mugabe7. Remember what happened in Egypt, The people had the army behind them and their march against the president was successful 8. Let’s get this issue done and dusted, we cant afford to have Mugabe back as president with his wife.9. We cant have a 93 year person ruling more than 15 million people10. *ZIMBABWEANS THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO START A NEW ZIMBABWE, THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO REMOVE MUGABE FOR GOOD**MAKE SURE YOU TAKE PART IN THE MARCH AND MAKE SURE YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES DO AS WELL*

Start by sending this message to all your contacts.

*A NEW ZIMBABWE IS POSSIBLE*

Thank you Zimbabwe

For the Vigil’s part, we will hold a special demonstration in support of the ousting of Mugabe on Saturday outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London from 2 – 6 pm. Mugabe and Grace are bound to drop by to say farewell on their way home to Singapore. To make sure they behave there will be soldiers present.

If you want to know more about the events leading up to the army coup see the newly-published book by the Vigil: ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ available from the Vigil and Amazon. Also on sale will be our ‘hedging our bets’ wristbands with the message ‘Mugabe must go / has gone’.

At the moment the coup in Zimbabwe is a dispute within the ruling Zanu PF. But it is clear that it is in support of ousted Vice-president Mnangagwa. He is known to have the support of the UK and US and maybe also China and South Africa. He apparently has plans to form a transitional authority including MDC leader Tsvangirai. This could be supported by the Vigil provided there were external controls ensuring that Zanu PF was not again allowed to sideline the opposition and continue the Zanu PF reign of corruption, violence and nepotism.

Our position is that we will support any efforts that bring about a representative transitional arrangement leading to a free, fair and credible election. We are for a true and genuine democracy that respects human rights.

We are pleased to be able to share with you Peter Tatchell's speech made at the Zimbabwe Vigil's 15th anniversary on Saturday 14th October outside the the Zimbabwe Embassy in London (http://bit.ly/2zRnDSJ). Our thanks to Peter for his support and encouragement over the years.

We are marking the Zimbabwe Vigil's 15th anniversary on Saturday 14th October from 2 – 6 outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. To mark the anniversary we have published a book based on our weekly diaries: ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’, which records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded over the years as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved.

It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds will go to the Vigil's and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe's work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available on Amazon.

Good news is that Peter Tatchell is coming to receive a copy of the Vigil book. Pater is a tireless human rights campaigner who has attempted to arrest Mugabe in the past and been beaten up by Mugabe's security guards. We are pleased to report that he finally successfully arrested Mugabe (played by Fungayi Mabhunu in our Mugabe mask) at the Vigil in August last year.

Peter Tatchell and Zimbabwean exiles to ‘arrest’ Robert Mugabe for trial in LondonBrighton 12th August and London 13th August

The Zimbabwe Vigil and its sister organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) will be staging mock citizens’ arrests of Robert and Grace Mugabe, plus John Mangudya (Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) on Friday 12th August in Brighton for crimes against both the people and economy of Zimbabwe. Mugabe will be symbolically apprehended by human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, who unsuccessfully attempted to arrest Mugabe in 1999 and 2001. The three will be marched 110 km to London for trial at the Zimbabwe Vigil at 3 pm on Saturday 13th August.

The Brighton to London Walk is to ‘Mourn the Death of Democracy and Human Rights in Zimbabwe’. it was born of an idea by Rashiwe Bayisayi who was inspired by the play ‘After Independence’ written May Sumbwanyambe at the Arcola Theatre, Dalston, London. The Vigil and ROHR performed protest songs and dances to drumming at the Arcola Theatre after the performance on Africa Day, 25th May 2016.

The date of the walk was inspired by the Heroes’ Day celebrations in Zimbabwe. The idea of the arrests was added to underline Zimbabwe’s current problems of economic collapse and civil unrest.

Some 30 Zimbabwean exiles including victims of torture will start out from Brighton at 6 am on Friday taking their 3 ‘prisoners’ with them. The trial outside the Zimbabwe Embassy at 3 pm on Saturday will reflect an actual legal challenge against Mugabe in Zimbabwe brought by the #Tajamuka protest movement on Friday 5th August 2016.

The Walk will raise funds via sponsors and donors to help with the current plight of children in schools in Zimbabwe, to raise awareness for the Zimbabwean diaspora globally to challenge Mugabe and to provide legal protection to those bravely operating in Zimbabwe against the oppressive Zanu PF regime. If you wish to sponsor this event, contact details are below.

Protest to support Linda MasarireThursday 11th August from 11 am – 2 pm outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. ROHR activist Linda Masarire has been in custody on trumped up charges in a Zimbabwean prison for more than a month. She has a court date on 11th August and the Vigil and ROHR are gathering to support her. She is a mother of five including a two year old. She is a courageous human rights activist who memorably said ‘We are sick and tired of being sick and tired’. Please come and join us to support this courageous human rights activist.